New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani says he will not try to run for a third term as the city's leader.

Mr. Giuliani is legally barred from running for a third term as Mayor. But a movement was gaining momentum to change the law and allow the mayor to continue spearheading New York's recovery effort. The Conservative Party offered Mr. Giuliani its nomination for Mayor.

But now Mr. Giuliani says his presence on the ballot would create too much divisiveness.

"The city does not need litigation and division at this time," Mayor Giuliani said. " The city needs every effort we can make to keep it unified."

Mr. Giuliani says, if the state legislature approves, he is still willing to stay on beyond January first and help the new mayor make an orderly transition.